Ink-transfer member and method of making the same



G. E. PELTON (kit 35 E928 INK TRANSFER MEMBER AND METHOD OF MAKING THE SAME Filed April 192a INVENTOR- eo c eflj ezfiow A TTORNEY Patented Oct. 15, 1929 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE GEORGE E. PELTON, OE LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA, ASSIGNOR TO SECURITY TRUST & SAVINGS BANK, TRUSTEE, OF LOS. ANGELES, CALIFORNIA, A CORPORATION OF CALIFORNIA INK-TRANSFER MEMBER AND METHOD OF MAKING THE SAME Application, and April 3, 1928. Serial No. 267,689.

This invention relates to typewriter inking-ribbons, inking ribbons used on weighlng machines, multlgraphing machlnes, adding and accounting machines, cash regis- ,larly with relation to typewriters and typewriter ribbons, although it is perfectly adapt able to all machines using inking ribbons and to making impressions on paper or tape through transfer or reproducing media. Accordingly, such expressions as typewriter or typewriter ribbon or ribbon are to be given a broad interpretation wherever hereinafter used. bon.

There is a common need among all users of typewriters, where economy of price, quantity of output and uniformly efficient service are concerned, that a ribbon shall not be too expensive, but that it shall be capable of a large amount of writing, and, above all, that Ribbon means inking riball of the writing shall be sharp and that on the Wear-down of the ribbon the writing shall stay rich in color and sharp and clean-cut. Obviously, this demands the creation of new standards of excellence.

A ribbon is primarily an ink supply. In the ideal ribbon, just suflicient ink to make a print-like impression on the paper would be fed out of the ribbon. My invention secures this result. It feeds out the ink-supply of the ribbon in miserlyfashion through a coating which serves as a screen or filter, and

produces a uniformity and economy of inksupply which is truly surprising.

The primary objects of my invention are:

(a) To retard, regulate and control the expenditure of the ink-supply contained in the ribbon, so that from the beginning and on the wear-down the typewriting will be of uniform appearance, excellent color, sharp outline and free from excess ink.

This invention relates not only to the (b) To conserve the ribbons ink-Suppl and feed it so slowly and uniformly through the coating, by the action of the type in typewr1t1ng, that the contained ink-supply will actually deliver from two to four times the volume of typewriting which an other ribbon now in use is capable'of pro ucing;

(a) To make spun silk and other fibrous materials available and highly valuable for use in making inking ribbons. Ribbons for fine work can thus be made at greatly reduced cost because the material is cheaper. The ink.- absorbing qualities are superior to expensive ribbons now in use.

An object of my invention isto provide a character of ribbon which shall contain a larger ink supply than other ribbons now carry, for use where large type is used for writing titles, addressing shipping labels, etc., and where it is desirable to have a considerable amount of ink make up each letterimpression so that the impressions are very broad and can be read at some distance.

A further object is to provide ribbons or reproducing media, for machines such as the new electric automatic tape printers or tape typewriting machines, and for bookkeeping machines of all kinds, which will permit more writing and neater writing, will withstand the severe pounding without cutting the fabric, and will not necessitate such frequent changing of ribbons.

Another object would apply to the electric automatic tape printer or typewriter now in common use by the telegraph companies, and which, by present means, gets very little service from any one ribbon. By my invention I am able to employ a thicker fabric carrying larger ink supply, and yet, by reason of the coating used, I donot write with any more ink in the impressions at the outset than present ribbons do, and the surface next to the tape is much cleaner and carries less ink than present ribbons carry. By feeding out just enough ink to give legibility and clear impressions on the tape, my ink supply does two to four times as much writing as present ribbons do, and the writing is of much evener appearance. The thicker fabric employed and reinforced by the coating will stand much greater punishment from ty e strokes without wearing holes through t e fabric. This is especially true as to ribbons used on fiat surfaces, as in bookkeeping typewritersyand the like. For this last named service, my invention also provides a ribbon that is coated on both sides to insure greater resistance and-prevent cutting the rlbbon by the blows of the type. The ribbon is inked by the unique method of forcing the initial ink supply through the coating by a heavy regulated pressure. For use on the electric automatic tape typewriting machrnes, and Inndred uses, my invention provides a double ribbon, protected on both top and bottom by coating, and carrying very large 1nk supply, and absolutely free from lint or excess lnk on the type.

Further objects of my invention are:

To make it possible to fill in names and addresses on multigraph circular or imitation typewritten letters of any kind produced in any manner, and to have said fill-ins match perfectly in color and in width of line the writing in the body of such letters;

To make it possible to fill in printed forms on a typewriter or other suitable machine and have the words filled in look like printing and harmonize with the printed words;

To make it possible for typewriters and other machines used for writing on fine paper, and especially legal papers, business correspondence, governmental papers and oflicial correspondence, to employ type that isof a greater variety of shapes and styles;

To make typewritin that is written especially to be photograp ed, show up plainer and neater in the photograph;

To make figure work on auditors audit papers, contractors and other specification sheets, etc. appear much plainer and neater and more attractive in appearance, and reduce errors in their writing of figures and in copying figures;

To make it more diificult for the operator cut, sharply defined impressions, even though the stenographer is obliged to strike the keys with very great force, such as would be required where ten or twelve copies are made to. make the last copy legible;

To. make the work done by several different machines, such as Hooven automatic typewriters, match up in appearance, where all are working on sheets of the same 10b.

To-assist the stenographer so that a sheetof typing done on one day,which for some reason a week or two later has to be changed as to certain words only, can be chan ed and the writing used to make the said 0 ange will of the coating applied on the ribbon material, and in the methods and features of construction, design, combination of parts, and in the unique relation of the members,

and in the relative proportion and disposition thereof, and in the processes,all as will more completely be outlined hereinafter.

To enable others skilled in the art to fully comprehend the features thereof that they may embody the same by the various modifications in the structure and relations contemplated by this invention, drawings depicting the preferred form of the invention have been annexed as a part of this disclosure, and in such drawings like characters of reference denote corresponding parts throughout all of the views, of which Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic fragmentary sectional view of a typewriting machine employing an inked ribbon.- v

2 is an enlarged fragmentary section of a typewriter ribbon made in accordance with my invention.

Fig. 3 is a similar section on a somewhat reduced scale of a double, folded ribbon.

Fig. 4 is a section of a modifiedform double, folded ribbon.

Fig. 5 is a section of a single ribbon coated on both sides.

In Figure 1 of the drawin s,

5'is the platen of a typewriter, 6 the paperfi the ribbon, and e 8 the outer end of a type-bar.

In Figure 2 is illustrated a ribbon or inking device made of woven material, 10, and having a coating applied to a face thereof as indicated at 11, and 12 is the face of the ribbon which is struck by the type during the use of the ribbon in a typewriter. The ink is ap- ';plied to both faces or sides of the ribbon and the main body of the ink lies in the fabric itself In the manufacture of ribbons according to my invention, I preferably take a base of either cotton fabric or spun silk fabric or material (by which I mean the fabric commercially called spun silk, but which has a warp of ordinary silk and filling of spun silk) ,of suitable thickness, varying according to the uses for which the ribbons are designed, from .002 to .004 of an inch for ribbons producing typewriting comparable to fine printing, and where elite or pica or medium roman type are used,- and all the way 1 up to a thickness of from .005 to .010 of an inch for ribbons used in writing checks, labels for packages and the like, or where go'thic orlarger type are used, or where the ribbon is intended to withstand heavy and continuous blows, as in the new-style teleterial.

and the like. larger ink supply. Where spun silk is used, I prefer (when available), a base made entirely of spun silk, and it is desirable.

that the threads of this silk shall be very small and compactly woven, to obtain the best results, and especially to absorb a very large.

supply of ink. The quality and character of silk required in U. S. Patent No. 1,092,856 granted to me in 1914, or in any other inked ribbon patent heretofore issued would not be well adapted to my present invention because the necessary coating cannot be efi'ectivel used, and the fibres of the silk do not absor a sufficient amount of ink. Spun silk is ideal for high grade typewriter ribbons, because of the large ink supply which it will absorb and carry, and because the coating material hereinafter described will readily adhere to the surface of the spunsilk without penetrating or saturatin the fabric unless the opera-' tor desires that t e coating shall slightly penetrate such fabric. This can be regulated a desired.

The silk material having the trade name of charmeuse is a sample of the spun silk material which may be used for typewriter ribbons under my invention. By spun silk I include material which is of spun silk fibres or threads or which is part spun silk fibers or threads and part other silk or other ma- The silk which I preferably use is undyed spun silk for the filling, although other silk threads and fibres may be used, including fibers of wild silk and ramey silk. The spun silk is of relatively low cost compared with the silk which can be used in any other type of silk ribbon. As a base or ribbon material for inking ribbons of medium cost, cotton fabric such as is in common use for typewriter ribbons, is excellent.

I do not limit myself in this invention, however, to cotton fabric or spun'silk as a base for the inking ribbon, but am able to use any sort of fibrous or fabric material upon which the coating required by my invention can be applied, such as wool, linen, artificial the above or of any other fibers desired. The

base material must be capable of absorbing and giving off typewriter ink. 7

The material used as the base may be of the correct length and width for the type of machine in which the ribbon is to be used, or may be in the form of a relatively wide strip or sheet. If the base be cotton fabric or other material which cannot be handled successfully in very narowwidths, it is necessary to apply the coating in the wide and then cut the strip or sheet to the desired size. The thickness of the base material will vary The thicker ribbon carries a V according to the character of the work desired and of the machine upon which the ribbon is to be used.

Under my invention the strip or sheet used as the base is coated on the side next to the paper or tape upon which the typewriting or printing is to be done, one or more coats of the coating materials hereinafter described being applied in liquid form, each coat being of uniform thickness. The ink with which the ribbon is impregnated is driven, filtered and fed through the coating, in-the process of typewriting or printing, by the impact or blow of the type. The purpose for which the ribbon is intended will determine the number and thickness of the coats of the coating material.

The material of which this coating is made is of cellulose-like character. I prefer, for my ordinary coating material, a mixture of pyroxvlin solution and pyroxylin cement,

about half of each. The pyroxylin solution is composed of four parts of pyroxylin to five parts of a softener, such as. castor oil, to which is added a low-boiling point solvent, which is ethyl acetate diluted with a quickdrying liquid such as gasoline, alcohol or acetone. Pyroxylin cement is the same as pyroxylin with the softener omitted and gum added. The addition of gums or resins seems to give greater flexibility and adhesion. The coating must be of such character that the blow or pressure of the type will cause a regulated supply of ink to be driven through the coating on to the paper or tape. The supply of ink so furnished is regulated by the number of coats and the thickness of each. It is important that the coating material be of such character as not to penetrate and saturate any substantial portion of the fabric or base unless intended so to do. This conserves the ink carrying capacity of the base or fabric. For this and other reasons neither linseed oil (whether alone or mixed with glycerine) nor varnish nor shellac are suitable coating materials.

The coating is applied to any suitable width or length of the base material. If the material coated is wider than is required for a single ribbon of the kind desired, then the sheet, after being coated, should be cut into strips of the desired width.

The coating being applied in liquid form is then dried, either in the air or by the use of heated metal rolls or by running the ribbon through a drying oven.

For the purpose of further strengthening the base or fabric and further regulating and retarding the amount of ink which is driven or fed through the coating by the blows of the type in operating the machine, I have discovered that after I have first coated my base or fabric with the cellulose-like mixture or coating (using two comparatively thin coats where the base or fabric is spun silk),

a final coating on the side next to the paper upon which the writing or printin is to be done, may (for certain uses, especia l where great volume of work is essential an a comparatively small expenditure of ink is necessary) be applied directly'u on and over the one or more coats of cellu ose-like mixture after those coats have been first well dried. This final coating is preferably ofglue or of a glue-like gum. I have obtained excellent results by using gum arabic thinned to the proper consistency by the use of ordinary mucilagedo not, however, confine myself to any particular material for this final coating so long as such material is of a character which will substantially reinforce and strengthen the base or fabric and will permit the ink with which the ribbon is impregnated to be driven through the cellulose-like coating and the final coating so as to substantially retard and diminish the amount of ink so communicated to the paper, as compared with the amount when only the cellulose-like coating is used.

After the coated ribbon has been dried, it is inked in the ordinary way, precisely as though no coating had been applied, it being the purpose to fully impregnate the coated ribbon with ink of the desired kind, quality and color. The ink supply is distirictly increased where the final coating of glue or gum is used, by reason of the fact that this final coating itself absorbs a sub stantial amount of ink, which is not the case with the cellulose coating. After the'ink is dry the ribbon is prepared for market in the ordinary way. The inking may be done either in the wide or when the ribbons are cut to or are of the desired width.

In the operation of a typewriter or other machine where the final glue or gum coat is used, the ink supply impregnating the fabric of the ribbon constantly bythe blows of the type,. replenishes the ink in the final coat-- ing until the entire ink supply is exhausted. .This final coating could not be used .by' applying it directly upon the base or fabric because it would immediately penetrate and substantially saturate the material and destroya large part of its ink-absorbing character. This final coating, when the ribbon is inked in the ordinary way-and the ink is dried, is left pliable and flexible by reason of the oil which is contained in the ink. In addition to further reinforcing the base or fabricand makingit tougher, less liable-to be cut by the type and more wear-resisting, this final coating has the effect of-causing the ink to befed more slowly in the process of typewritingand to thereby insure excellent appearance of the itypewriting from the beginning and in the wear-down, and to Very substantially increase the volume of work which can be done. upon a single ribbon so coated.

This final coating may profitably be applied on the side next to the paper on which the printing is to be done in the case of the double, coated ribbon hereinafter described. It will be understood that this final coating applies to these items without stating the same in connection with each. This final coating is not an essential element in my invention, but is a variation which may be used or omitted according to the type of ribbon desired.

Because the coating regulates and retards the expenditure of the ink, there is no waste ofthe ink supply in the use of the ribbon, and on the wear-down will show excellent results from the beginning until very near the end of the life of the ribbon. This type of ribbon is an entirely new article of manufacture and commerce.

For use on typewriting machines used for bookkeeping and similar uses upon fiat surfaces, and which are so constructed that a comparatively thin ribbon is required to receive so heavy a blow that ordinary ribbons are soon cut to pieces,a slight modification of my invention produces greatly improved conditions and results. I use a relatively thick spun silk base or fabric, being substantially thicker than that used for the ordinary typewriter ribbon. I coat this base material on both sides with one or more coats of the same permeable celluloselike coating hereinabove described, but preferably the first coat is mixed so thin that it slightly penetrates and thus strengthens the fabric. After this coating is dry, I ink this ribbon by submitting it to the same general inking process as though it were not coated,

and (While the ink is being applied) forcing the ink through the coating into the fabric material by means of the regulated pressure of heavy rollers. I regulate this pressure so :as to make sure that the fabric within the coating is saturated with the ink. Inasmuch as the coating material will permit the ink to pass through slowly underthe blow of the'type in operating a typewriter, it is evident that the coating -will also permit the inking of the ribbon directly through the coating by the use of suficient pressure. After the ink is dried, a th n final coating of pyroxylin cement, or similar coating. may be applied to the side upon which the type strikes. A smooth and relatively thin ribbon of great strength and toughness is thus manufactured. Since both sides of the ribbon are protected'by the coating the type will remain free from lint or ink;

A ribbon of this kind is shown in Fig. 5 in which the fabric 20 has the permeable coating 21 and 22 on opposite sides thereof.

For use upon machines where a large ink supply is desirable,'and where the work is very heavy and there is great tendency to rapidly wear out the ribbon or cut it out, I

' have worked out a modification of my inventionwhich may be termed a double folded coated ribbon. This is primarily for use upon such machines as the electric automatic tape typewriting machines used by telegraph companies, and for similar uses. A strip of spun silk or other suitable base material of the desired length and thickness and one inch wide (or double the width of the finished ribbon, whatever that may be) is coated on one side with one or more coats of the coating material hereinbefore described, and is then folded in the middle longitudinally so as to make a double ribbon one-half inch wide (or one-half of the width of the original strip). This folding makes a crease in the ribbon and the two coated surfaces will be on the outside. I then preferably apply to side of the folded ribbon upon which the type will strike, an additional coat of pyroxylin cement (or similar coating) in liquid form. This is a further protection against injury to the fabric by the constant blows of the type, and may be omitted where such added protection is not required.

A ribbon of this kind is shown in Figs. 3 and 4 in which a strip or sheet of material 14 of double the width of the finished ribbon is coated on one surface with one or more coats of the cellulose .material 15 which is permeable to ink. In the form shown in Fig. 3, the ribbon is folded by making a crease in the center of the base and the entire coated surface will be on the outside. The folded ribbon is heavily inked so as to leave a surplus of ink 16 inside the ribbon when folded. The two free edges of the ribbon are securely fastened together, preferably by sewing as shown at 18.

The two inner surfaces of the double ribbon are heavily inked so as to fully impregnate them, and also to leave a surplus of ink inside of the ribbon when folded. The two edges which are folded together are securely sewed, preferably using small silk thread, or are otherwise fastened together. The coated ribbon is dried before being inked, and the inked ribbon is dried so as to retain the ink on the inside of the double ribbon. This double ribbon is entirely free from lint or ink being communicated to the type, and being protected on both sides and of double thickness, furnishes an ink supply which by the action of the type is gradually fed through the double ribbon and on to the tape by the blow of the type, so that the double ribbon when worn out has practically given up its entire ink supply and has much more than done the work of two ribbons. This double ribbon is very tough and durable and resists the destructive force of the type in hard usage. One edge of this ribbon is entirely protected by being folded on itself. Where found desirable the other edge can be protected by glue or other suitable substance, but works very successfully without any protection whatever.

A very useful variation of this double ribbon is made by coating it in the manner above described and so folding and creasing the strip of base or fabric which is double the width of the desired ribbon, that the ribbon isentirely smooth and free from fold or crease on the side next to the paper, and on the side next to the type there are two folds meetin in the center,the extra coating (if desiredbeing applied to this side of the coated ribbon, as in the case of the double, coated ribbon first above described. After the coatings are dried the ribbon is heavily inked on the inside, being coated with the coating substances hereinbefore described on the outer surfaces, and the line where the folded edges come together being securely fastened by sewing preferably with a small sized silk thread or by other method. This type of ribbon has the unique characteristic of having no exposed outer edges. In quantity of work done and in durability it is slightly superior to the double ribbon folded in the middle, as above described. Each is a new and unique article of manufacture and commerce, and each is made possible by the character of the coating used and the plan and method of forcing the ink through this coating in the operation of the machine.

Where the base or ribbon material is cotton fabric, or similar material, or where it is desirable to have greatest possible ink supply in any ink transfer member including an ink retarding surface trough which ink is fed to writing paper or other surface, the coating material is somewhat different and the process difierent. For both double and single ribbons, I first apply upon such base fabric a substantial coating of pyroxylin, in liquid form, and then dry or bake this coating on to the base by passing the coated base through an oven about ten feet long at a speed of about thirty-five (35) feet per minute, keeping the oven at a temperature of from 300 to 360 degrees Fahrenheit. I have obtained excellent results at 350 degrees. Electrically heated rolls or any other method of applying the necessary heat will be efficient. The coated material is then coated, on the coated side, with one or more coats of pyroxylin cement or similar cellulose-like material (excellent results being obtained by using two thin coats). For double ribbons all the subsequent steps and processes are the same as hereinbefore and/or hereinafter described for the respective types of double ribbons. For single described, at the same speed as before, but at a temperature about thirty (30) degrees less than before (excellent results being obtained at about 320 degrees Fahrenheit), or subjectd to the required heat in some equivalent way. A thin additional inking is then applied to the uncoated surface and dried without any considerable heat. The edges are protected either by the coating or by an edging of glue, gum or similar protective substance.

The foregoing process may be varied within reasonable limits. A chemical change of very beneficial character is produced in the first cellulose-like coating by the heating or baking process. While the coating largely disappears, the resultant surface is admirably prepared to receive the additional coatings without penetration of the base by the cellulose or pyroxylin and to absorb the ink supply. The chemical change in the coating caused by the heat is a decomposition of pyroxylin, which becomes carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, nitrogen, and a little moisture or water. The baking of the inked ribbon (or otherwise subjecting it to the specified heat) produces a marked result in the efiiciency of the ribbon both as to the amount of ink it will finally contain and in the feeding ofthe ink through the coating and onto the paper or tape in the process of typewriting or printing. Of course the coated side of the ribbon will be next to the paper or tape receiving the impressions.

If the intended service of the double ribbon will permit, the volume of work done will be increased by applying upon the coated surface, which will be next to the paper or tape which receives the impressions, a thin final coating of glue or gum of the character hereinbefore described. For uses very destructive of the ribbon fabric, much additional protection is secured by applying on the surface next tothe type an additional coat of pyroxylin cement or similar material. This adds little to the thickness but greatly to the strength.

In addition to the double, folded, coated inking ribbons hereinbefore described, my invention includes the following forms of double inking ribbons, useful for the machines and purposes for which I have invented and used double ribbons, as hereinbefore stated (a) For the side next to the paper or tape on which typing is to be done, use one of my cellulose coated single ribbons of the desired material and coated in the manner and by the process hereinbefore described for inking ribbons of the base material selected. For the side next to the type, use aidifi'erent material or a different type of the same material, for example, a strip of spun silk or cotton fabric, the fibers of which have been thoroughly loaded with a solution of about acetone and 50% amyl acetate. Any other suitable solution which when dried will leave the fibers so completely filled that they cannot absorb an appreciable amount of ink will give a similar result. A material to be so treated or saturated may be extremely delicate and thin before loading with such solution, and after being so loaded and dried will have'all of the requisite strength to withstand the blows of the type, and it will not permit any ink to clog or fill the type. At the same time it makes it possible to carry not only the usual supply of ink which is carried by the ribbon next to the paper or tape, but also a substantial amount of a very concentrated ink may be carried in between the two strips or ribbons. After being separately coated and after the inking has been done, the two materials or strips (being of the width desired for the ribbon) will be fastened together at both edges either by sewing or other suitable means. or simply along one edge. The edges should be protected by app-lying a strong edging material such as glue or gum to the two strips or ribbons after they have been fastened together. For some uses no edge protection other than the coating will be necessary.

'(b) Using the character of cellulose coated inking ribbon described in the foregoing a) for the strip next to the paper or tape receiving the impressions, the strip of the double ribbon next to the type may be of a material or fabric which has been coated on the type side with a rubber solution or with shellac or varnish, or with a strong cellulose cement, or with kataloid in solution,and

the coating material may, to such degree or extent as desired, fill the fibers and cut down their capacity to absorb ink. The parts of the double ribbon of this type will be separately coated and will be so inked that there is ample ink between the two strips of ribbon, and the strip next tothe type willcarry such ink as its fibers will absorb. The two strips are fastened together and the edges protected as in (a) above.

(0) Using some character of my cellulose coated, single inking ribbon for the side of the double ribbon next'to the paper or tape, the strip next to the type may be of celluloid or kataloid or pyroxylin or it may be a paper such as cellaphane, or a special composition material of any suitable sort, or any material made of any of the base substances hereinbefore mentioned as being suitable for the manufacture of typewriter ribbons, or any combinations of such materials, and may be either secured to the strip next to the paper without impregnating any part of the strip next to the type with ink, or such last named strip may be inked on the inside. The method of fastening the two strips together and protecting the edges will be as stated in (a) above.

(d) Using the same type of ribbon or strip next to the paper receiving the impressions as stated in ((1) ,-the strip next to the type may be of any suitable material (such as mentioned in ((1) (6) and/or (c)), and may be coated on the inside (being the side away from the type and which touches the strip or ribbon next to the paper or tape) with carbon paper ink, which is a wax ink, and this ink may be of such thickness and hardness of finish as may be desired, having regard to the uses intended.

The description of my invention is intended to cover and include. in a broad and general way (among other things) any coated inking ribbon or sheet, whether single or double, and the method of making the same, and the method of typing or printing by using said coated ribbon or sheet upon any typewriter or other machine using an inking ribbon or sheet, and any apparatus for typing or printing using such coated inking ribbon or sheet as the source of the ink supply, where a coat-ingis upon the side of the ribbon or sheet next to the paper or tape receiving the impressions,

- and the ink supply carried by the ribbon v.or

sheet is fed and filtered through said coating by the impact or blows of the type in operating the machine. I therefore do not limit myself, in the practice of my invention. to any particular coating substancd or kind or ingredients of coating materials used, so long as the foregoing results are secured; neither do I limit myself as to the substance or substances, material or materials constituting the base for my coated inking ribbons or sheets.

I claim: I

1. An ink transfer ribbon member including an ink-carrying base, and means for regulating the ink fed by the blows of the type from the ribbon member to the surface to be typed.

2. An ink transfer member including a base portion and having an absorbent body portion and a relatively non-absorbent surface portion, said member being impregnated with ink, said surface portion acting as a screen to regulate the ink fed from the ink transfer member.

3. An ink transfer ribbon member including a base portion and an ink retarding face portion whereby a regulated and uniform quantity of ink may be driven from the ribbon member when disposed with the ink-retarding face adjacent the surface for receiving the impressions, said member being impregnated with ink.

4. An ink transfer ribbon member including a relatively porous, ink-absorbent body portion and a less porous, less absorbent face portion, the face portion lying when the ribbon member is in use adjacent the surface to be typed and acting to retard and regulate the passage of ink driven through the ribbon member by the blows of the type and the pressure thereof,

5. An inking ribbon having an ink-carrying base and an ink-retarding material on a surface thereof through which the ink is to be transferred and acting as a screen through which ink is driven uniformly and under control.

6. An ink transfer member including an ink-absorbent base, serving as an ink reser-- voir, and an ink-retarding material interposed between the said base and the surface to be typed, said base being impregnated with ink, said ink-retarding material serving as a filter or screen through which the ink is driven and pressed by the force of the type.

7. In an ink transfer member, the combination of an ink-carrying base and an ink-retarding material interposed between the base and a surface to be typed whereby the blows of the type and the pressure thereof feed the ink uniformly to said surface.

8. An inking ribbon having a base of inkabsorbent material with an ink retarding material including nitro-cellulose, said base being impregnated with ink, said ink retarding material being on the surface of the ribbon through which the ink is to be trans 'ferred and acts as a screen to control the said ink retarding material being on the sur-.

face of the ink transfer member through which the ink is to be transferred and acts as a screen to control the flow of ink therethrough.

"11. An inking ribbon comprising a base, a coating thereon of pyroxylin through which the ink is uniformly forced by the type and a coating of gum overlying the pyroxylin coating, said inking ribbon being impregnated with ink.

12. In an ink transfer member, the combination of an ink carrying base and an inkretarding material interposed between the base and a surface to be typed and on the type side of said member having a treated surface to prevent ink from said member from adhering to the type. 13. In an ink transfer member, the combination of an ink carrying base and an inkretardingmaterial interposed between the base and a surface to be typed and on the type side of said member having a treated surface to prevent ink from said member from adboring to the type, said ink member being impregnated with ink.

14. An inking ribbon for typing comprising a fabric base, an ink-retarding coating of pyroxylin on the side of the ribbon contacting with the surface to be typed which regulates the amount of ink fed from the ribbon by the force of the type, and a coating of pyroxylin on the type side.

15. An inking ribbon for typing comprising a fabric base, an ink-retarding coating of pyroxylin on the side of the ribbon contacting with the surface to be typed which regulates the amount of ink fed from the ribbon by the force of the type, and a coating of pyroxylin on the type side, said inking ribbon being impregnated with ink.

16. An inking ribbon having a fabric base coated on one side with an ink-retarding material, said base being impregnated with ink, the ribbon being folded upon itself longitudinally with said ink retarding material on the outside.

17. An inking ribbon having a fabric base, coated on one side with an ink-retarding material, said base being impregnated with ink, the ribbon being folded upon itself longitudinally with said ink retarding material on the outside and the edges of the ribbon meeting along one side of the folded ribbon intermediate between the edges of the finished ribbon.

18. An inking ribbon having a fabric base, coated on one side with an ink-retarding material, said base being impregnated with ink, the ribbon being folded upon itself longitudinally with said ink retarding material on the outside and means for securing together the free edges of the ribbon.

19. An inking ribbon formed of two layers of material secured together, at least one of said layers being of an ink absorbing base and having an ink-retarding material embodied therein, said base being impregnated with ink.

20. An inking ribbon formed of two layers material secured together, at least one of said layers being of an ink absorbent base-and the said base and the space between said two layers being filled with ink.

21. An inking ribbon comprising a base and an ink screening material on a face of said base acting to control the passage of ink therethrough.

22. The method of making inking ribbons which comprises putting an ink-retarding material along one side of a base, quickly drying said ink-retarding material, and .impregnating the ribbon with ink, said ink retarding material lying on the side of the ribbon through which the ink is transferred and acting as a screen to control the passage of ink therethrough.

23. The method of making inking ribbons which comprises putting an ink retarding material along both sides of abase, drying the coating of ink-retarding material.

24. The method of making inking ribbons which comprises putting an ink retarding material along both sides of a base, drying the ink-retarding material, and impregnatin the ribbon with ink by forcing the in through the ink-retarding material under pressure.

25. A method of making inking ribbons which includes applying an ink-retarding material to a side of an ink-absorbent base, folding the ribbon lengthwise with the said ink-retarding'material on the outside, and impregnating the inner side of said folded ribbon with ink.

26. A method of making an ink transfer member, including applying a coating of nitro-cellulose material to an ink-absorbent base, decomposing said nitro-cellulose material with heat, again coating said member with an ink-retarding material, drying said last coating, and impregnating said member with ink, said ink retarding material lying on the side of the ink transfer member through which the ink is transferred and act-' ing as a screen to control the passage of ink therethrough. I

27 An ink-receiving base for ink transfer members consisting of a tightly-woven fabric including threads of spun silk.

28. An ink-receiving base for ink transfer mlelpibers consisting at least in part of spun s1 29. An ink-receiving base for ink transfer members consisting of long-fibered warp threads and spun silk filling fibres.

30. An ink-receiving base for ink transfer members consisting of Ion -fibred warp threads and spun silk filling bres and having an ink retarding material along a side thereof, said ink retarding material lying on the side of the ink transfer member through which the ink is transferred and acting as a screen to control the passage of ink therethrough.

31. An ink-receiving base for ink transfer members consisting at least in part of spun silk and having an ink-retarding material consisting in part of pyroxylin along a side thereof, through which ink is driven. I

32. An inking ribbon having a base comprising spun silk and with an ink-retarding material overlying the surface of the base but which does not penetrate it to any substantial extent, said base being impregnated with in v 33. An inking ribbon comprising a base of spun silk, and an ink-retarding material consisting in part of pyroxlin on the paper contacting side of the ribbon, which regulates the ink driven from the ribbon by the force of thle; type, said ribbon being impregnated with 1n 34. An ink transfer member comprising a tightly woven base including threads of spun silk and a coating of ink retarding material on one face thereof.

35. The method which consists in applying to a base a solution of pyroxylin in a volatile solvent, subjecting the treated base to a temperature sufficient to decompose said cellulose. and thereby making the surface of said base less absorbent and thereby preparing said surface for a second application of pyroxylin which does not penetrate the fibres of said base material, drying said material after the second application of pyroxylin, and impregnating said base material with ink.

In testimony whereof I aflix my si%iature.

GEORGE E. PEL 

